In modern economic analysis, the cost of a building is not limited to the initial investment. The concept of “lifecycle cost” shows that, over the course of its operation, maintenance, repairs, and utilities can exceed the value of the original construction.

An industrial or residential building generates ongoing expenses: energy, climate control, technical maintenance, inspections, insurance, and potential upgrades required to comply with new standards. As energy efficiency and sustainability regulations become stricter, adaptation costs increase.

In many cases, initial investments are optimized to reduce construction budgets rather than to minimize long-term costs. Cheaper materials or undersized technical solutions may lower the initial expense but increase operating costs over time.

For commercial and industrial buildings, downtime caused by technical failures also carries indirect economic costs: interruption of operations, production losses, and contractual penalties.

Therefore, the profitability analysis of a project must include the total lifecycle cost, not just the initial investment. In many situations, cumulative maintenance over 20–30 years exceeds the construction cost itself.

In 2026, the difference between a cheap building and an efficient one is no longer measured at handover, but in annual operating costs. High-performing buildings are those designed with operation in mind, not just delivery.

(Photo: Freepik)